Written Answers Thursday 29 September 2005

Scottish Executive

Alcohol Misuse

Bruce Crawford (Mid Scotland and Fife) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the level of alcohol-related crime has been in each year from 1999 to 2005 in the (a) Fife Constabulary, (b) Tayside Police and (c) Central Scotland Police area.

Cathy Jamieson: The statistics available centrally on crimes recorded by the police do not generally distinguish the circumstances of the crime, such as the involvement of alcohol. The available information for the crime categories which specifically relate to alcohol is given in the following tables.

  Selected Crimes Recorded by the Police, Central, Fife and Tayside Police Force Areas 1999

  

Crime category
Central
Fife
Tayside


Death by careless driving when under the influence of drink or drugs
-
-
-


Drunkenness
225
313
578


Offences by licensed persons
26
20
19


 of which: Sale of drink to person under 18
4
19
12


Other offences against liquor licensing laws
17
60
63


 of which: Person under 18 buying excisable liquor or consuming in bar
2
5
19


 : Purchasing excise liquor for consumption by person under 18
6
7
12


Consumption of alcohol in designated places
180
134
101


Drunk driving
573
587
858



  Selected Crimes Recorded by the Police, Central, Fife and Tayside Police Force Areas 2000

  

Crime category
Central
Fife
Tayside


Death by careless driving when under the influence of drink or drugs
-
-
-


Drunkenness
157
365
674


Offences by licensed persons
10
8
11


 of which: Sale of drink to person under 18
5
7
9


Other offences against liquor licensing laws
16
10
45


 of which: Person under 18 buying excisable liquor or consuming in bar
2
3
6


 : Purchasing excise liquor for consumption by person under 18
5
6
14


Consumption of alcohol in designated places
371
253
133


Drunk driving
580
654
903



  Selected Crimes Recorded by the Police, Central, Fife and Tayside Police Force Areas 2001

  

Crime category
Central
Fife
Tayside


Death by careless driving when under the influence of drink or drugs
-
-
-


Drunkenness
162
388
623


Offences by licensed persons
58
14
13


 of which: Sale of drink to person under 18
53
13
9


Other offences against liquor licensing laws
46
23
50


 of which: Person under 18 buying excisable liquor or consuming in bar
15
2
6


 : Purchasing excise liquor for consumption by person under 18
17
12
30


Consumption of alcohol in designated places
576
411
151


Drunk driving
678
662
961



  Selected Crimes Recorded by the Police, Central, Fife and Tayside Police Force Areas 2002

  

Crime category
Central
Fife
Tayside


Death by careless driving when under the influence of drink or drugs
-
1
-


Drunkenness
125
428
565


Offences by licensed persons
15
28
19


 of which: Sale of drink to person under 18
12
28
17


Other offences against liquor licensing laws
9
19
47


 of which: Person under 18 buying excisable liquor or consuming in bar
2
2
11


 : Purchasing excise liquor for consumption by person under 18
3
9
13


Consumption of alcohol in designated places
366
406
144


Drunk driving
705
840
976



  Selected Crimes Recorded by the Police, Central, Fife and Tayside Police Force Areas 2003

  

Crime category
Central
Fife
Tayside


Death by careless driving when under the influence of drink or drugs
-
1
-


Drunkenness
129
532
537


Offences by licensed persons
32
15
22


 of which: Sale of drink to person under 18
26
12
16


Other offences against liquor licensing laws
43
18
52


 of which: Person under 18 buying excisable liquor or consuming in bar
1
4
7


 : Purchasing excise liquor for consumption by person under 18
26
13
25


Consumption of alcohol in designated places
318
305
290


Drunk driving
605
824
1108

Cancer

Shona Robison (Dundee East) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-18320 by Mr Andy Kerr on 31 August 2005, what measures will be put in place to prepare for the impact on workload in secondary care, including increased demand for non-screening colonoscopy and pathology services, as identified by the UK cancer challenge pilot screening programme.

Mr Andy Kerr: The Scottish Bowel Cancer Framework Group was established in 2004 in order to co-ordinate strategic planning and development to secure implementation of the Scottish Bowel Cancer Framework. The group will oversee service development in readiness for the national bowel cancer screening programme.

  We are investing in the expansion of the endoscopy workforce in Scotland. An extra 25 nurse endoscopists will commence training from January 2006 at Glasgow Caledonian University. We are also expanding medical endoscopy training from 2005 by funding 50 "train the trainer" courses and 100 skills courses which will result in improved on the job support for new nurse endoscopists. In addition, we are maximising existing endoscopy capacity through the redesign of endoscopy suites and current working practices.

  We have provided £60,000 to fund the establishment of a Scottish Pathology Network and the recruitment of a network manager. A colorectal sub-group of the network will focus on the bowel screening programme, with a view to sharing knowledge and experience gained during the pilot, providing a network wide approach to education, training and development and ensuring value for money by maximising the efficient use of existing pathology resources. We have also invested £600,000 to support PathAlba, a Scottish pathology telemedicine initiative, which will ensure that specialist pathology expertise is available for the benefit of patients across Scotland irrespective of geographical location.

Carers

Ms Rosemary Byrne (South of Scotland) (SSP): To ask the Scottish Executive when it will publish the research report of Professor Jane Aldgate on kinship care.

Robert Brown: Professor Aldgate’s research on kinship care in Scotland was commissioned by Social Work Services Inspectorate as part of a review of services and outcomes for children and young people looked after by local authorities in Scotland. The kinship care study informs the findings of the wider review and any recommendations arising from it.

  In April 2005, responsibility for the review was incorporated into the work of the Social Work Inspection Agency. The demands of the agency’s performance inspection programme has meant some delay to the intended timetable for publication. The review is now in final drafting stage and is expected to be published in November. The full kinship care report written by Professor Aldgate will also be published at this time.

Carers

Ms Rosemary Byrne (South of Scotland) (SSP): To ask the Scottish Executive what progress it is making in improving services and support to grandparents and relative carers.

Robert Brown: Support for kinship carers is a matter for local authorities. Further, when announcing an extra £12 million support for foster care, the Scottish Executive made clear that local authorities could use this additional money to improve support for kinship carers if this was deemed to be a local priority.

  The Scottish Executive continues to support carers under the "Strategy for Carers in Scotland" and has increased resources from £5 million per annum in 1999-2000 to £23 million this year.

Children's Panel

Mr Stewart Maxwell (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the average length of service was of volunteers for the children’s panel system when they withdraw from the system in each of the last five years.

Robert Brown: Table 1 shows the information requested in respect of member of children’s panels. Table 2 shows the information requested in respect of members of Children’s Panel Advisory Committees.

  Over the last five years, the average length of service on resignation of Children’s panel members as a whole is 3.78 years and for Children’s Panel Advisory Committees is 4.98 years. The average current length of service on the Children’s Panel is around five years and on Children’s Panel Advisory Committee is around eight years.

  Table 1 Length of Service of Children’s Panel Members

  

Year
Number of Resignations
Average Length of Service (in years)


2000
558
3.74


2001
446
4.03


2002
454
3.98


2003
471
3.49


2004
511
3.67



  Table 2 Length of service of Children’s Panel Advisory Committee Members

  

Year
Number of Resignations
Average Length of Service (in years)


2000
17
4.59


2001
22
5.43


2002
25
6.24


2003
21
5.70


2004
19
2.95

Concessionary Travel

Mike Rumbles (West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is on target to introduce unlimited Scotland-wide free bus travel for elderly and disabled people from April 2006.

Tavish Scott: Yes.

Crime

Bruce Crawford (Mid Scotland and Fife) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many knife or blade-related crimes there have been in each year from 1999 to 2005 in the (a) Fife Constabulary, (b) Tayside Police and (c) Central Scotland Police area.

Cathy Jamieson: The recorded crimes statistics available centrally do not generally distinguish the use of knives or blades in the commission of crimes or offences, other than the specific crime category given in the following table.

  Crimes Recorded by the Police of having in a Public Place an article with a Blade or Point, Central, Fife and Tayside Police Force Areas, 1999-2003

  

Police Force
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003


Central
60
57
89
124
80


Fife
59
86
137
94
180


Tayside
127
106
70
84
77



  Separate statistics held on homicides do distinguish those involving a sharp instrument such as a knife and the available data are given in the following table.

  Homicide Victims1 Killed by use of Sharp Instrument, Central, Fife and Tayside Police Force Areas, 1999-2003

  

Police Force
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003


Central 
2
-
1
4
-


Fife 
-
2
1
3
-


Tayside 
2
2
3
6
2



  Note: 1. Currently (as at 10 November 2004) recorded homicide victims.

Debt Management

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is monitoring the operation of the Debt Arrangement Scheme.

Hugh Henry: Yes. Consultants have been commissioned to carry out research into the operation of the scheme and have already carried out a preliminary evaluation of its operation. Phase 2 of the evaluation will begin in October 2005 and last for about six months. An interim report is expected during November 2005, when a review of the scheme will begin.

Debt Management

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is satisfied that there are sufficient numbers of money advice workers to support the operation of the Debt Arrangement Scheme.

Hugh Henry: It is thought that 150 approved advisers will provide the necessary support for expected demand for the Debt Arrangement Scheme. To date, 36 money advisers have been approved. This is disappointing, and I am not satisfied that there are enough advisers to support the scheme. My officials are, however, continuing to work with the money advice sector to identify and overcome obstacles to take up. I am encouraged by the fact that 200 money advice workers have been trained on the Debt Arrangement Scheme and can therefore go ahead and complete the approval process.

Debt Management

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is aware that some creditors are not consenting to the use of the Debt Arrangement Scheme and what action it will take to address this issue.

Hugh Henry: The Debt Arrangement Scheme is intended to help both debtors and creditors. I am aware that some creditors have not agreed to proposed debt payment programmes, as is their right. The scheme, however, provides for the consent of creditors to be dispensed with in some circumstances provided that a proposed programme is fair and reasonable. I am also aware that programmes have been approved where a creditor has refused to consent. The operation of the scheme will be reviewed by my officials from November 2005, and the issue of creditor consent will be considered in the round at that time. No action is planned at present.

Dentistry

Brian Adam (Aberdeen North) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many dentists have offered NHS dentistry in each of the last three years, broken down by NHS board and expressed also on a per capita basis.

Lewis Macdonald: The information requested is shown in the table.

  Number of Dentists1 Offering NHS Dentistry; at 30 September

  

NHS Board
2002
2003
2004


Number of Dentists2
Number per 100,000 Population3
Number of Dentists2
Number per 100,000 Population3
Number of Dentists2
Number per 100,000 Population3


Argyll and Clyde
180
43
186
45
182
44


Ayrshire and Arran
133
36
138
38
148
40


Borders
48
45
43
40
41
38


Dumfries and Galloway
41
28
43
29
45
30


Fife
147
42
147
42
135
38


Forth Valley
105
38
106
38
110
39


Grampian
170
32
178
34
191
36


Greater Glasgow
442
51
444
51
462
53


Highland
87
42
83
40
89
42


Lanarkshire
217
39
230
42
238
43


Lothian
386
50
383
49
389
49


Orkney
6
31
9
47
9
46


Shetland
11
50
12
55
12
55


Tayside
184
47
183
47
188
48


Western Isles
9
34
9
34
10
38


Scotland
2,088
41
2,118
42
2,161
43



  Sources:

  MIDAS (Management Information & Dental Accounting System).

  GROS.

  Notes:

  1. There are various ways of calculating the number of dentists working in the NHS General Dental Service. Classification of counting dentists has been revised from 2004 to ensure a consistent way of recording dentists. A dentist is counted once for each NHS board where he/she has a contract to provide NHS General Dental Services or where he/she is employed to provide such services. As a result, the sum of the number of dentists in each NHS board will exceed the number of dentists in Scotland.

  2. Headcount of non-salaried principals, salaried principals, assistants and vocational trainees active in the NHS General Dental Service at 30 September 2005.

  3. Mid-year population figures.

Dentistry

Brian Adam (Aberdeen North) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what proportion of their time dentists offering NHS dentistry give to NHS patients on average.

Lewis Macdonald: This information is not held centrally.

Dentistry

Brian Adam (Aberdeen North) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what average gross NHS remuneration dentists were paid in each of the last three years.

Lewis Macdonald: The information requested is shown in the table.

  Average Gross NHS Remuneration1,2 Paid to Dentists Providing NHS General Dental Services; Year Ending March

  

2003
2004
2005


£85,985
£84,702
£85,828



  Source: MIDAS (Management Information & Dental Accounting System).

  Notes:

  1. Gross earnings (item of service fees, plus capitation and continuing care fees), divided by the number of non-salaried dentists (principals and assistants) who had earnings during the financial year.

  2. Excludes grants and allowances that non-salaried dentists may be entitled to claim in addition to item of service, capitation and continuing care fees.

Disclosure Scotland

Margaret Jamieson (Kilmarnock and Loudoun) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has monitored the costs borne by employees who require to undergo a Disclosure Scotland check for employment.

Cathy Jamieson: The current cost of a disclosure check in Scotland is £13.60. Some employers bear this cost on behalf of employees but whether or not they do so is for them to decide. The Executive does not collect information on actual costs borne by employees.

Disclosure Scotland

Margaret Jamieson (Kilmarnock and Loudoun) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what funding has been made available to each local authority to provide Disclosure Scotland checks for employees.

Cathy Jamieson: Ministers have not made specific funding available to local authorities to cover the cost of the criminal record checks carried out by Disclosure Scotland. Part V of the Police Act 1997 provides that a fee should be paid for each application that is made. It is for each local authority to decide whether or not it pays for the check or passes the cost on to job applicants.

Disclosure Scotland

Margaret Jamieson (Kilmarnock and Loudoun) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to remove the requirement for Disclosure Scotland checks to be undertaken each time an employee moves within an organisation.

Cathy Jamieson: We are working towards the implementation of a new vetting and barring scheme for those who work with children and vulnerable adults in response to the recommendations in the Bichard Report. The proposed scheme will include continuous updating of an individual’s status as new information comes to light. This should remove the need for further full disclosure checks when an employee moves within an organisation.

Economic Development

Jim Mather (Highlands and Islands) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what specific measures are being put in place to "direct the composition of public expenditure towards growth-enhancing categories" and "adapt tax structures to strengthen growth potential", as set out in guideline 3 of the European Commission’s Integrated Guidelines for Growth and Jobs (2005-2008) .

Nicol Stephen: All departments within the Executive play a part in determining and contributing to economic development in Scotland. Greater economic prosperity is secured through the efforts and contributions of a wide range of individuals and bodies, working in an integrated and collaborative manner.

  Full details of the composition of planned public expenditure in Scotland for the years 2005-06 to 2007-08 are contained in the 2004 spending review publication:

  Building a Better Scotland: Spending Proposals 2005-2008: Enterprise, Opportunity, Fairness. This is available at http://www.scotland.gov.uk/library5/enterprise/babs.pdf.

  Business taxation issues are mainly reserved. The Executive recently announced a reduction in business rates and further details will be issued shortly. These changes will help to strengthen growth potential.

Elections

Stewart Stevenson (Banff and Buchan) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many complaints it has received from individuals in respect of postal voting in local elections in each year since 1999.

George Lyon: None.

Employment

Dr Sylvia Jackson (Stirling) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it will take to offer construction trade employment opportunities and modern apprenticeships for local residents in regeneration areas, for example through the model of local agreements negotiated by Stirling Council in the Raploch regeneration project.

Allan Wilson: The Scottish Executive is committed to ensuring that its regeneration policies and programmes deliver maximum benefit for deprived communities. This includes encouraging those involved in regeneration, in the public, private and voluntary sectors, to provide training and employment opportunities in the construction and other sectors. Initiatives such as the agreement negotiated by Stirling Council in the Raploch regeneration project, Youth Build in Paisley and the Clyde Valley's Schools Vocational Training Programme are good examples of this.

Fisheries

Dr Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive when the inquiry into the draft Solway Regulating Order will be complete and, if the inquiry finds in favour of progressing the order, how long it will take to lay it before the Parliament.

Ross Finnie: The Sea Fisheries (Shellfish) Act 1967 under which Regulating Orders are made and which makes provision for the inquiry procedure does not stipulate a timeframe for the completion of an inquiry or the provision of advice to ministers by the inspector appointed to make an inquiry. The length of the inquiry is a matter for the inspector and it is not possible to say exactly when it will be complete. I am however aware of the need to resolve this issue as quickly as possible. We are taking steps to be in a position to do so. If I decide to approve the application, I would therefore expect to lay the Order very shortly thereafter.

Further and Higher Education

Linda Fabiani (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether further education colleges have the capacity and funding to deliver vocational and specialised skills for work courses from 2006 for all pupils interested in the subjects referred to in Lifelong Partners: Scotland's Schools and Colleges Building the Foundations of a Lifelong Learning Society .

Nicol Stephen: The Scottish Executive has delivered substantial resources to increase the capacity of colleges to provide learning opportunities for school pupils, including the provision of Skills for Work courses. In addition to existing resources currently provided to colleges, more than £41.5 million across financial years 2005-06 to 2007-08 has been made available to implement Lifelong Partners.

  Skills for Work courses are being piloted during academic years 2005-06 and 2006-07 in order to evaluate them, with a view to rolling them out nationally in August 2007.

  By 2007, all secondary and special schools in Scotland will have effective, meaningful and appropriate partnership with at least one college for S3 pupils and above. Pupils of all abilities in S3 and above will be able to be considered for college learning opportunities, and options will be made available as they are with all other students in further and higher education - on the basis of available capacity. Given there is an inevitable limit on capacity, due regard will be paid to those pupils who will benefit most from activities which will enhance their life chances.

General Practitioners

Brian Adam (Aberdeen North) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the average gross remuneration of GPs in the NHS was in each of the last three years.

Mr Andy Kerr: This information is not available as the distribution of practice income between General Practices and their staff is a matter for each practice.

  The table illustrates average gross payments to practices per GP whole-time equivalent collected by Practitioner Services Division of NHS National Services Scotland. This does not include other income such as fees and direct payments between each NHS board and each practice.

  GP Practice Gross Payments

  

All Scotland Average Gross Payments per GP (Whole-Time Equivalent)
2002-03
2003-04
2004-05


£108,951.90
£122,138.30
£146,208.60

Health

Mrs Nanette Milne (North East Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how much has been spent on publicly funded health publications in each of the last six years.

Mr Andy Kerr: This information is not held centrally.

Housing

Linda Fabiani (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what pilot schemes have been completed where grant funding was given to private developers for the provision of low-cost housing.

Malcolm Chisholm: I have asked Angiolina Foster, Chief Executive of Communities Scotland, to respond. Her response is as follows:

  A pilot project was carried out in 1998 in Kincardine O’Neil through the Scottish Homes Research and Innovation programme, where funding was provided to a private rural landowner to build new houses for rent to local people in need.

  There have been no other pilots involving grant funding for private developers for provision of low-cost housing for owner occupation. GRO grant funding for private developers for the provision of low-cost housing for owner occupation has been a long-standing mainstream programme of the Executive.

Justice

Bill Aitken (Glasgow) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how many supervised attendance orders were issued by Glasgow District Court in respect of non-payment of fines from 1 July 2004 to 30 June 2005.

Cathy Jamieson: Figures for this period are not yet available. The latest available statistics show that for the year ending 31 March 2004 Glasgow City District Court reported a total of 40 financial penalties resulting in a supervised attendance order being imposed for non-payment.

Justice

Bill Aitken (Glasgow) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how many fines of £200 or less were remitted by Glasgow District Court following breaches of supervised attendance orders from 1 July 2004 to 30 June 2005.

Cathy Jamieson: The information requested is not available.

  The latest available statistics show that 12 breach applications in relation to supervised attendance orders were made to Glasgow City District Court in the year ending 31 March 2004.

Justice

Linda Fabiani (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any responsibilities in relation to the ownership and use of mini motorbikes.

Hugh Henry: The Scottish Executive has given the police additional powers to seize, retain and dispose of vehicles, whether on or off-road, being used in an antisocial manner through the Antisocial Behaviour (Scotland) Act 2004. The new powers improve the ability of police to deal with irresponsible riders who race through public areas putting people in a state of fear and alarm.

Justice

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many prosecutions have followed a breach of the existing bye-laws covering the use of Loch Lomond in each year since 1999.

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many cases of breach of the existing bye-laws covering Loch Lomond have been reported to the Procurator Fiscal and not proceeded with in each year since 1999.

Colin Boyd QC: Information is not available for periods prior to 1 April 2002. In the period since 1 April 2002, a total of three cases involving charges under section 121(3) of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 have been reported to the Procurator Fiscal in relation to offences under the Loch Lomond Registration and Navigation Bye-laws 1995. Two cases were reported in 2003-04 and one case was reported in 2004-05. One accused was subject to a warning by the Procurator Fiscal. In the other two cases summary proceedings were initiated though one of the cases was not called and marked for no further proceedings as a result of failed service of the complaint. There have been no cases in which the Procurator Fiscal decided to take no proceedings.

Justice

Stewart Stevenson (Banff and Buchan) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many offences of (a) perjury, (b) resisting arrest and (c) wasting police time and how many bail offences other than absconding and re-offending have been committed in each year since 1999, broken down by police force area.

Cathy Jamieson: The available information is given in the following tables.

  Selected Crimes Recorded by the Police in Scotland, by Police Force Area, 1999

  

 
Central
Dumfries and Galloway
Fife
Grampian
Lothian and Borders
Northern
Strathclyde
Tayside
Scotland


Public mischief (inc wasting police time)
61
29
73
71
137
47
1,883
276
2,577


Resisting arrest
269
144
309
433
914
244
3,113
338
5,764


Bail offences other than absconding/ re-offending
222
18
99
83
363
27
739
270
1,821


Perjury and subordination
3
1
0
1
4
2
20
0
31



  Selected Crimes Recorded by the Police in Scotland, by Police Force Area, 2000

  

 
Central
Dumfries and Galloway
Fife
Grampian
Lothian and Borders
Northern
Strathclyde
Tayside
Scotland


Public mischief (inc wasting police time)
61
28
78
63
162
42
319
243
996


Resisting arrest
277
116
333
393
963
239
3,169
320
5,810


Bail offences other than absconding/ re-offending
267
20
168
12
431
22
784
468
2,172


Perjury and subordination
3
1
0
1
2
5
3
2
17



  Selected Crimes Recorded by the Police in Scotland, by Police Force Area, 2001

  

 
Central
Dumfries and Galloway
Fife
Grampian
Lothian and Borders
Northern
Strathclyde
Tayside
Scotland


Public mischief (inc wasting police time)
80
21
71
59
151
50
286
201
919


Resisting arrest
391
119
349
455
1,069
307
3,625
253
6,568


Bail offences other than absconding/ re-offending
160
25
97
187
369
49
1,066
253
2,206


Perjury and subordination
1
0
2
4
4
3
3
1
18



  Selected Crimes Recorded by the Police in Scotland, by Police Force Area, 2002

  

 
Central
Dumfries and Galloway
Fife
Grampian
Lothian and Borders
Northern
Strathclyde
Tayside
Scotland


Public mischief (inc wasting police time)
88
23
89
89
151
47
283
249
1,019


Resisting arrest
396
172
399
471
1,024
302
3,775
308
6,847


Bail offences other than absconding/ re-offending
422
24
312
251
658
92
1,520
309
3,588


Perjury and subordination
0
0
1
1
13
1
6
6
28



  Selected Crimes Recorded by the Police in Scotland, by Police Force Area, 2003

  

 
Central
Dumfries and Galloway
Fife
Grampian
Lothian and Borders
Northern
Strathclyde
Tayside
Scotland


Public mischief (inc wasting police time)
101
38
114
112
159
63
297
253
1,137


Resisting arrest
395
224
397
444
834
340
3,932
335
6,901


Bail offences other than absconding/ re-offending
418
53
468
335
616
121
1,918
1,490
5,419


Perjury and subordination
0
0
2
2
4
2
8
0
18

NHS Expenditure

Brian Adam (Aberdeen North) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the projected overspend is of each NHS board for the current financial year.

Mr Andy Kerr: Only four of 23 health boards are projecting cumulative overspends. These are:

  

NHS Boards
Projected 2005-06 Outturn (£000)


NHS Argyll and Clyde
72,541


NHS Grampian 
8,123


NHS Lanarkshire 
19,959


NHS Western Isles
738



  I have already announced my intention regarding Argyll and Clyde.

  NHS Grampian have in place an agreed financial recovery plan which will see them returning to financial balance in 2006-07.

  The Lanarkshire deficit is from an earlier period and is planned to be managed using profit on a land sale.

  The new Director of Finance of NHS Western Isles is currently working through the board’s financial recovery plans to address the deficit. This is due to be submitted to the department by the end of September.

NHS Staff

Sarah Boyack (Edinburgh Central) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure sufficient supply of NHS staff in the fields of ophthalmology and audiology.

Lewis Macdonald: Last month we published a new framework for workforce planning that sets out the actions required at national, regional and NHS health board levels. Boards are required to develop their specific workforce plans early next year.

NHS Staff

Mrs Nanette Milne (North East Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how many NHS staff are employed in the production of NHS publications.

Mrs Nanette Milne (North East Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how many NHS staff have been employed in the production of NHS board publications in each of the last six years, broken down by NHS board.

Mr Andy Kerr: Information on the number of NHS staff employed in the production of publications is not held centrally.

National Health Service

Brian Adam (Aberdeen North) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the average gross remuneration of non-medical staff in the NHS was in each of the last three years.

Mr Andy Kerr: Information on the average gross remuneration of non-medical staff in the NHS for the last three years is given in the following table. Latest available data is at 31 March 2005.

  Average Gross Remuneration (£) of Non-Medical Staff in NHSScotland

  

 
2002-03
2003-04
2004-05


Non-medical Staff
20,177
22,272
22,714



  Source: Scottish Standard Payroll System.

  Notes:

  1. Average gross remuneration is calculated using total cost divided by whole-time equivalent staff who were in post for the full financial year. Information for staff who joined or left part way through the year have been excluded. Ambulance staff have been excluded due to incomplete data.

  2. Total cost: gross salary (basic salary plus overtime, enhancements and allowances etc) plus employers' national insurance and superannuation.

  3. Whole time equivalent is calculated by dividing the number of contracted hours/sessions by the normal conditioned hours for a particular group of staff.

  4. Numbers have been rounded to the nearest pound.

National Health Service

Dr Jean Turner (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (Ind): To ask the Scottish Executive whether NHS Quality Improvement Scotland is on target to achieve 25 health technology assessments by December 2006.

Mr Andy Kerr: NHS Quality Improvement Scotland (NHS QIS) does not have a target of achieving 25 health technology assessments by December 2006. NHS QIS currently has the capacity to produce around three health technology assessments per year.

  NHS QIS is currently working on health technology assessments for MRSA screening and epoetinum alfa pre-orthopaedic surgery. It aims to start a health technology assessment on service delivery for low back pain in October 2005.

National Health Service

Dr Jean Turner (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (Ind): To ask the Scottish Executive how many health technology assessments have been concluded by NHS Quality Improvement Scotland since the Health Technology Board for Scotland became part of it on 1 January 2003.

Mr Andy Kerr: Since January 2003, NHS Quality Improvement Scotland (NHS QIS) has completed four health technology assessments:

  Organisation of troponin testing in acute coronary syndromes

  Routine ultrasound scanning in the first 24 weeks of pregnancy

  The use of B-type natriuretic peptide testing (BNP) for suspected heart failure

  Alcohol products for hand hygiene.

  In addition, a scoping report on learning disabilities and eight evidence notes have been published. All of this information is available from the NHS QIS website www.nhshealthquality.org.

National Health Service

Dr Jean Turner (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (Ind): To ask the Scottish Executive how many health technology assessments were concluded by the Health Technology Board for Scotland before 1 January 2003, when it was incorporated into NHS Quality Improvement Scotland.

Mr Andy Kerr: The Health Technology Board for Scotland published three health technology assessments before January 2003:

  Organisation of services for diabetic retinopathy screening

  Positron emission tomography (PET) imaging in cancer management

  Prevention of relapse in alcohol dependence.

  This information is available from the NHS QIS website www.nhshealthquality.org.

National Health Service

Dr Jean Turner (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (Ind): To ask the Scottish Executive what impact the postponement of almost a quarter of treatment appraisals by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) due to funding cuts will have on NHS Quality Improvement Scotland issuing Comments on Guidance.

Mr Andy Kerr: NHS Quality Improvement Scotland (NHS QIS) reviews all NICE appraisals for Scotland and issues advice to NHSScotland. Any changes to the NICE appraisal programme will be reflected in the date of publication of appraisals and NHS QIS advice.

  However, the existence of the Scottish Medicines Consortium will ensure that Scottish patients will see no delay in the introduction of effective new drugs and treatments.

National Health Service

Dr Jean Turner (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (Ind): To ask the Scottish Executive what measures NHS Quality Improvement Scotland (QIS) will put in place regarding the postponement of a quarter of treatment appraisals by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence and whether the Executive will increase the number of health technology assessments carried out independently by NHS QIS.

Mr Andy Kerr: NHSQIS has taken account of the NICE decision in making plans for the future publication of appraisals. NHS Quality Improvement Scotland (NHS QIS), the Scottish Medicines Consortium and the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network all have work programmes independent of the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence. Commenting on NICE appraisals forms only a small part of NHS QIS’s work.

  The existence of the Scottish Medicines Consortium will ensure that Scottish patients will see no delay in the introduction of effective new drugs and treatments.

Nutrition

Scott Barrie (Dunfermline West) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken to encourage more people to eat healthily.

Mr Andy Kerr: Our strategic framework for healthy eating sets out our plan to increase demand for healthier choices, supported by action to supply that demand with improved access to healthier food.

  Our strategies begin from the earliest stages with parenting support and encouragement for breastfeeding, we have consulted on nutritional guidance in early years settings, we have set nutritional standards for school meals, and have announced that we will consult on a Health Promotion and Nutrition in Schools Bill during this parliamentary year.

  Beyond schools, we are developing nutritional standards in hospitals, care homes and prisons. We are targeting workplaces through the Scotland’s Health at Work scheme, which results in healthier food choices in canteens, tuck shops and vending. We have made advice available to any member of the public who wants it through the Healthyliving campaign website, and advice line and we are working through the Scottish Community Diet Project and our neighbourhood shops initiative to support communities to improve access to and take up of a healthy diet.

Planning

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether COSLA has agreed that all the five-year development plans proposed in the White Paper, Modernising the Planning System , are deliverable.

Malcolm Chisholm: The responses to the white paper, including that from COSLA, are currently being analysed by an independent consultant, in preparation of a digest of responses. COSLA’s response does comment in some detail on whether a five-year development plan cycle can be delivered. All responses which respondents have agreed can be made public, including COSLA’s, will be published in due course, along with the digest.

Police

Ms Sandra White (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what proportion of ethnic minority police officers are in the top 20% pay bracket, broken down by police force area.

Cathy Jamieson: Latest figures, at 31 March 2004, show that 12% of ethnic minority police officers are in the 20% who receive most pay. This equates to those in the ranks of sergeant and above.

  The numbers in each force are shown in the following table:

  

Force
No of Officers


Central
1


Dumfries and Galloway
 


Fife
 


Grampian
 


Lothian and Borders
4


Northern
 


Strathclyde
10


Tayside
15



  Source: Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary’s Annual Statistical Returns from forces.

Police

Ms Sandra White (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many times it has met the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland this year specifically to discuss the recruitment of ethnic minority people to police forces.

Cathy Jamieson: Officials have met with SEMPER (Supporting Ethnic Minority Police staff for Equality in Race), the police ethnic minority support association on three occasions.

Police

Ms Sandra White (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how much additional ring-fenced funding has been provided to police forces to enable them to meet recruitment targets for ethnic minority police officers in each year since 1999.

Cathy Jamieson: The recruitment of police officers is a matter for Chief Constables. Each Chief Constable is to prepare an action plan for the implementation of the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland (ACPOS) diversity strategy, launched in April 2004, and report back to ACPOS to allow monitoring of progress.

Police

Ms Sandra White (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many police officers from ethnic minority backgrounds have left the police within (a) one year of joining, (b) two years of joining, (c) three years of joining and (d) four years of joining in each year since 1999.

Trish Godman (West Renfrewshire) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what the staffing level was of (a) police officers and (b) ancillary staff in X division of Strathclyde Police in each of the last six years.

Cathy Jamieson: This information is not held centrally.

Police

Trish Godman (West Renfrewshire) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what the ratio is of men to women police officers from the rank of constable to chief constable in each police force and how this has changed in the last six years.

Cathy Jamieson: The information requested is shown in the following table.

  Female Officers as Percentage of Total Strength

  

Force
30 June 1999
30 June 2005


Central
14%
20%


Dumfries and Galloway
18%
21%


Fife
15%
20%


Grampian
17%
20%


Lothian and Borders
15%
18%


Northern
13%
21%


Strathclyde
15%
21%


Tayside
17%
22%


Total
15%
21%

Police

Miss Annabel Goldie (West of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how many special constables there are, broken down by police force division.

Cathy Jamieson: The latest information that we have on the number of Special Constables available for duty in each police force is shown in the following table. Information on the number of Special Constables in each division is not held centrally.

  

Force
Number of Special Constables


Central Scotland Police
96


Dumfries and Galloway Constabulary
81


Fife Constabulary
112


Grampian Police
150


Lothian and Borders Police
78


Northern Constabulary
240


Strathclyde Police
270


Tayside Police
117


Total
1,144



  Source: Quarterly Strength Return 30 June 2005.

Police

Mr Kenny MacAskill (Lothians) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answers to questions S1W-15477, S2W-16906 and S2W-19097 by Mr Jim Wallace, Mr Tom McCabe and Cathy Jamieson on 14 May 2001, 2 June and 21 September 2005 respectively, why information on the cost of fuel for police vehicles was available for 1999-2000 and 2000-01 but not for 2001-02, 2002-03, 2003-04 or 2004-05 and whether it will review its answer to question S2W-19097.

Cathy Jamieson: The information requested for 2001-02, 2002-03, 2003-04 or 2004-05 is not available centrally because it is not routinely collected from the police forces. The information for 1999-2000 was provided as a result of a one-off exercise.

Prescription Charges

Shona Robison (Dundee East) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects the review of NHS prescription charges to be completed.

Lewis Macdonald: We have not yet set a date for the commencement of the next phase of the review. We expect that phase to take three months from the date of commencement, and Cabinet consideration next year.

Prescription Charges

Mr Adam Ingram (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive when phase 2 of the review of NHS prescription charges will begin and what its duration will be.

Lewis Macdonald: We have not yet set a date for the commencement of phase 2 of the review.

Prescription Charges

Mr Adam Ingram (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide a comprehensive list of participants in the phase 2 consultation process on the review of NHS prescription charges.

Lewis Macdonald: Members of the public, patient interest groups, NHS professionals and other key stakeholders will be asked for their views.

  In line with Executive policy on consultation exercises of this type, where respondents consent, full written responses will be made publicly available on the Executive website.

Prison Service

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-18494 by Hugh Henry on 13 September 2005, how the Total Throughcare Phase 2 allocation of £280,563 for 2005-06 was divided across the constituent parts of the Northern Partnership.

Hugh Henry: Funding for criminal justice social work services, including throughcare, is provided through Section 27(1) of the Social Work Scotland Act 1968 to local authority groupings and unitary authorities. Decisions on how the grant for Throughcare is allocated amongst individual authorities within groupings such as the Northern Partnership, is made by the group collectively, not by the Scottish Executive.

Racial Equality

Linda Fabiani (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-16854 by Malcolm Chisholm on 6 June 2005, what the result was of the meeting that took place between the bodies referred to in the answer.

Malcolm Chisholm: The Audit and Inspection Group, which met on 9 August 2005, agreed that:

  it is worthwhile to consider further how compliance with the statutory duty to promote race equality may be built into existing audit and inspection processes;

  the group will meet on a quarterly basis, during which time a remit for this group will be developed, and

  future meetings should focus on sharing information on best practice, and should encompass other equality strands, such as disability and gender.

Racial Equality

Linda Fabiani (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-16855 by Malcolm Chisholm on 6 June 2005, when the report and action plan on race equality will be published.

Malcolm Chisholm: I have recently received the final recommendations from my officials about how the review of race equality work should be taken forward. In early October I intend to set out my vision and intentions for taking forward work in this area.

Racial Equality

Ms Sandra White (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to review its anti-racism campaign and wider strategy, in light of the statement in Positive Action in Housing’s 10th Annual Report 2005 that the campaign has stalled.

Malcolm Chisholm: We remain committed to the "One Scotland. Many Cultures" campaign and those projects we are funding as part of the campaign. We are currently developing the next phase of media activity for the campaign, and as in previous phases, have sought views from stakeholders at national and local level. It is an important part of the development of our campaign that we consider contextual issues. We realise that recent events are bound to influence public attitudes but rather than diminish the need for a national campaign, it makes it all the more necessary that positive signals are sent to all communities that racism will not be tolerated and that Scotland is place in which all are welcome. We are clear that the campaign and associated projects are part of a long-term investment strategy to tackle the causes and effects of racism in this country.

Rail Freight

Fergus Ewing (Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how much has been allocated (a) in total and (b) broken down by scheme to the Track Access Grant and Freight Facilities Grant schemes (i) in each year since inception and (ii) for the next two years.

Tavish Scott: Budget allocated to the Freight Facilities Grant and Track Access Grant schemes by the Scottish Executive:

  

Financial Year
Freight Facilities Grant Scheme (£)
Track Access Grant Scheme (£)


1999-2000
6,100,000
Nil (*)


2000-01
7,100,000
750,000


2001-02
9,803,000
1,000,000


2002-03
12,121,000
1,000,000


2003-04
14,438,000
1,000,000


2004-05
14,638,000
1,000,000


2005-06
15,400,000
1,000,000


2006-07
12,900,000
1,000,000


2007-08 
12,900,000
1,000,000



  Note: *Powers to award Track Access Grants were transferred to Scottish Ministers during financial year 2000-01 from DfT.

Rail Freight

Fergus Ewing (Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive to what extent it regards the Track Access Grant and Freight Facilities Grant schemes as successful; what monitoring is carried out of compliance with the conditions of grant; whether it considers that such monitoring has been sufficient; whether an audit of each of the schemes has been undertaken and, if so, whether the audit included a check of the transference of freight from road to rail, and whether it considers that any audit arrangements have been adequate.

Tavish Scott: These freight grant schemes are successful, having removed at least 60 million lorry miles from Scotland’s roads since 1999. The Freight Facilities Grant scheme has had a significant and positive impact on the freight infrastructure of Scotland as a catalyst to the building of over £70 million of new rail and water freight facilities across the country.

  A fully effective monitoring and audit system for freight grants is in place. Each Freight Facilities Grant project is monitored annually to track the actual level of freight transferred from road to rail and water and the corresponding environmental benefits which have been generated. Track Access Grants are paid in arrears based on actual freight carried by rail; these claims are audited by independent accountants annually. All Scottish Executive freight grant schemes are audited both internally and by Audit Scotland.

Rail Freight

Fergus Ewing (Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether Track Access Grant is payable in arrears.

Tavish Scott: Yes. Track Access Grant is paid in arrears based on actual freight carried by rail.

Roads

Cathy Peattie (Falkirk East) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive when it will next meet Falkirk Council and West Lothian Council to discuss the upgrading of the A801 Avon Gorge road.

Tavish Scott: Officials in the Executive have been in continuing contact with officers from Falkirk and West Lothian Councils through preliminary discussions, including a STAG appraisal, about this local roads project. Following recent contacts and correspondence, I wrote to David Alexander, Leader of the Council, on 1 September 2005 confirming that I would make available the initial preparatory funding requested of £400,000.

Roads

Mike Rumbles (West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it has taken towards establishing a grade-separated junction on the A90 at Laurencekirk.

Tavish Scott: We recognise that the long-term solution for this junction maybe a grade-separated junction. However, in the meantime, other measures have been considered and action has been taken to implement a range of safety initiatives including the installation of CCTV cameras, a 50mph speed limit in the vicinity of the Laurencekirk junction, advance warning signs, anti-skid surfacing and renewed road markings. We will continue to monitor safety around the junction and take further action as necessary. The forthcoming Strategic Transport Projects Review will provide the future framework for decisions on competing priorities for investment in schemes to improve the trunk road network, including proposals for grade separation at junctions such as the A90 at Laurencekirk.

Roads

Shiona Baird (North East Scotland) (Green): To ask the Scottish Executive when it will complete and publish its assessment of the viability of an eastern bypass for Aberdeen as a proposed alternative to the Western Peripheral Route options.

Tavish Scott: The assessment of the viability of the suggested Aberdeen Eastern Bypass is expected to be completed shortly and will be published following the decision on the preferred route which I expect to make in the autumn.

Roads

Mrs Nanette Milne (North East Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is aware of the statement by Dr Lorna Wing, an expert in autistic spectrum disorders, in relation to the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route that "the noise made during the construction of a bypass and the continual noise when it is in use would make life intolerable for many Camphill residents".

Tavish Scott: The Scottish Executive is aware of the statement by Dr Wing. My officials are carrying out a detailed noise assessment with a number of specialists.

Roads

Mrs Nanette Milne (North East Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what its response is to the (a) suggestion contained in Professor James Hogg’s interim report into the impact of the Murtle option for the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route that the special-needs children at Camphill Rudolf Steiner Schools be desensitised to the proposed road noise by participating in the creation of a three-metre noise barrier and (b) view of the autism experts who carried out an autism accreditation appraisal on the Camphill school that such a suggestion "at best shows a naivité into the complexity of autistic spectrum disorder and at worst a total misunderstanding or disregard to the effects of the disorder upon individuals".

Tavish Scott: Professor Hogg who is an acknowledged expert in the field of profound multiple disabilities made the suggestion as an ancillary to his interim report and must be read in the context of that report in full.

Roads

Mrs Nanette Milne (North East Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is aware that (a) many of the special-needs children and adults living in the Aberdeen Camphill communities suffer from hyperacusis (an abnormal sensitivity to noise) and (b) there are currently no acceptable noise levels set for special-needs individuals and how it proposes to adapt the Design Manual for Roads and Bridges (DMRB) methodology for noise measurement and assessment to give a realistic assessment of the noise impact of the proposed Murtle option for the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route on these individuals.

Tavish Scott: The Scottish Executive is aware that some of the residents in the Camphill Communities suffer from hyperacusis. The Scottish Executive is also aware that there are no standards for maximum noise levels for special-needs individuals. It is for this reason that the noise assessment for Camphill is going beyond the Design Manual for Roads and Bridges (DMRB) methodology by, for example, exploring noise levels at greater than normal assessment distances and by utilising World Health Organization guidance. Attempts are also being made to agree noise assessment parameters with the Camphill Communities based upon speech frequency ranges.

Roads

Shiona Baird (North East Scotland) (Green): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-18360 by Tavish Scott on 5 September 2005, to what extent the criteria set out in the Scottish Transport Appraisal Guidance (STAG) have been applied and whether a full STAG assessment report has been prepared in respect of each of the options for the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route.

Tavish Scott: A assessment of each of the route options using the criteria set out in Part 1 of the Scottish Transport Appraisal Guidance (STAG) has been undertaken. The analysis will be presented in the form of the Part 1 Appraisal Summary Tables as suggested by STAG and it is intended that these will be published following the decision on the preferred route which I expect to make in the autumn.

  A copy of the STAG document is available on the internet at:

  http://www.scotland.gov.uk/library5/transport/stag.pdf.

Schools

Chris Ballance (South of Scotland) (Green): To ask the Scottish Executive how much additional support Scottish Borders Council receives as a result of the number of rural primary schools in its area and, if small rural schools are closed, whether that level of support will be reduced accordingly.

Peter Peacock: Scottish Borders Council receives additional support of £1.164 million in 2005-06 as a result of a redistribution of the Primary School Teaching Staff Grant Aided Expenditure (GAE) allocation which is based on the 11.2% of Scottish Borders’ pupils who are educated in small schools i.e. where the pupil roll is 70 or less. In 2006-07 and 2007-08, this redistribution reallocates £1.150 million and £1.198 million respectively, based on a percentage of 10.1%. Any current or future changes to this percentage will not now be made until the next spending review, currently scheduled for 2007.

  These GAE allocations are neither budgets nor spending targets. They are a component of the more complex local government funding formula which is used to calculate a single revenue grant figure for each council. It is then a matter for each individual council to decide how best to deploy these resources based on local needs and priorities.

Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body

Outreach Services

Linda Fabiani (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body what the annual budget for the provision of the Parliament’s outreach services has been in each financial year since 1999-2000.

Andrew Welsh: The SPCB did not have an annual budget specifically for the provision of outreach services in any of the financial years prior to 2005-06.

  A dedicated outreach team was created in September 2004. This team has been allocated an annual budget of £179,558 in 2005-06 which mainly relates to staff costs. However beyond this budget our outreach team draws on other budgets such as the corporate publications budget and the broadcasting office budget.

  In addition a further wide range of engagement and participation work is carried out by other teams and staff within Parliament for example committees meeting outside of Parliament, the Partner Libraries project, the Scottish Parliament and Business Exchange and the Futures Forum.

Outreach Services

Linda Fabiani (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body whether it will list the activities organised by the Parliament’s outreach services and where these took place in each year since 1999.

Andrew Welsh: The SPCB did not have a dedicated outreach services team prior to September 2004 when a new team was created.

  The four staff members cover outreach to communities, educational organisations and the Gaelic community. However, other staff and teams within the Parliament are also involved in our wider participation and engagement work, for example the Scottish Parliament Information Centre have responsibility for the Partner Libraries.

  Community Outreach sessions are attended by a mix of the general public, representatives of organisations, workers and volunteers from voluntary sector organisations and community councils.

  Sessions have recently commenced for local council staff and elected members. An interfaith project to encourage engagement of faith communities with the Parliament will commence in October 2005.

  In January to March 2005, an "MSPs in Schools" scheme was piloted with eight schools across Scotland. Following the successful pilot, the project was launched in August 2005 and will provide the main focus for educational outreach.

  The following table outlines activities since September 2004 and planned activities:

  Outreach Sessions: Schools and Young People, 1 September 2004 to 31 March 2005

  

School Group
Class or Age Range
Location
No Attendees
Date


Portree High School 
Gaelic learners – s4 and S5/6
Skye
17
08/09/2004 


Portree High School 
Gaelic medium – s2
Skye
30
08/09/2004 


Portree High School 
Gaelic medium – s5/6
Skye
20
08/09/2004 


YWCA
16-30
Perth 
20
12/09/2004 


Youth Conference (Electoral Commission) Day Workshop and Evening event
16-22
Inverness, Highlands and Islands
30
24/09/2004 


Hilllpark Secondary School 
Gaelic medium secondary pupils
Glasgow 
25
29/09/2004 


Mòd Young peoples’ event
Gaelic learners from Dunbeg Primary School, Oban
Perth (at Mòd)
16
12/10/2004 


Mòd Young peoples’ event
Gaelic medium pupils (from Stirling Junior Gaelic choir)
Perth (at Mòd)
15
12/10/2004 


Onthank Primary School 
Gaelic medium pupils
Kilmarnock 
17
01/11/2004 


Higher Educ. Students
Gaelic medium UHI students
Lews Castle College, Stornoway
12
03/11/2004 


Nicholson Institute
Gaelic Higher (learner) students 
Stornoway
15
04/11/2004 


Nicholson Institute
Gaelic Advanced Higher (fluent speakers)
Stornoway
7
04/11/2004 


Nicholson Institute
S4 Gaelic (fluent speakers)
Stornoway
21
04/11/2004 


Nicholson Institute
S3 Gaelic (fluent speakers)
Stornoway
20
04/11/2004 


Nicholson Institute
S2 Gaelic (learners)
Stornoway
24
04/11/2004 


2005
 
 
 
 


Teachers’ seminar
Primary Teachers
Ayrshire
30
18/01/2005 


Tollcross PS
Primary (Gaelic medium)
Edinburgh 
14
08/02/2005 


FE Session
Gaelic students – community learning
Renfrewshire Gaelic initiative
29
21/02/2005


Peace education information session and debate
Young people of Middle Eastern descent
Fife, Dumfries and Galloway; Glasgow; Edinburgh
25 plus guests
24/02/2005


Condorrat PS
Primary (Gaelic medium)
North Lanarkshire 
25
01/03/2005


Education session
Primary
Uddingston
30
03/03/2005


Glasgow University Celtic Department
Undergraduate Gaelic students
Glasgow 
17
03/03/2005


Meadowburn PS
Primary (Gaelic medium)
Bishopbriggs
9
08/03/2004


Bishopbriggs HS
Secondary (Gaelic medium)
Bishopbriggs
5
08/03/2004


FE Session
Gaelic students – further education
Glasgow Stow College Immersion course
18
14/03/2005


Life Long Learning
Gaelic students – adult learners
North Ayrshire Gaelic Forum
22
21/03/2005


School education session
Primary Pupils – GLPS
Dunbeg PS, Oban
34
30/03/2005


Life long learning
Gaelic community / Gaelic medium secondary pupils
Open House session
17
30/03/2005


School education session
Gaelic medium primary pupils
Tollcross PS, Edinburgh
12
30/03/2005


Presentation/ discussion
Secondary
Bearsden
2 x 100
21/03/2005


Presentation/discussion
Secondary
James Gillespies, Edinburgh
25
10/05/2005


Presentation/workshop
Youth groups
Youth Voting Network, Edinburgh
20
21/05/2005


Presentation/workshops
Secondary
St Thomas of Aquins, Edinburgh
50
02/05/2005


School education session
School pupils – Gaelic medium secondary 
Greenfaulds, North Lanarkshire
6
28/10/2004


Presentation/ discussion
Homeless people education group
Edinburgh 
16
08/11/2004


School education session 
School pupils – Gaelic medium primary
Riverside Primary, Stirling
13
08/11/2004


School education session
Secondary pupils – Gaelic medium
Hillpark Sec Glasgow
19
19/01/2005


School education session
Primary pupils – Gaelic medium
Onthank Primary, Kilmarnock
19
24/01/2005


FE Session
Gaelic students – further education
Inverness College immersion course
19
02/02/2005


 
 
Total no.
963
 



  Outreach Sessions and Events: Community and Voluntary Sector, 1 September 2004 to 31 March 2005

  

Event/Session
Attendees
Location
No. Attendees
Date


YWCA National Conference
Young women 16-30
Perth
24
12/09/04


Age Concern Aberdeen
Older people /reps from orgs.
Aberdeen
30
17/09/04


Kirkintilloch Gaelic Day
Gaelic learners, Gaelic medium pupils, representatives of East Dumbartonshire council
Kirkintilloch
70
18/09/04


SCVO Joint session
Voluntary Sector
Edinburgh, Lothians
20
29/09/04


Community Outreach Event
Community Groups
Kirkintilloch 
64
6/10/04


Education Committee Mòd Public meeting
Gaelic speakers and learners
Perth (at Mòd)
63
14/10/04


Talk / Presentation
Mount FloridaOver 50s Group
Glasgow Cathcart constituency
52
20/10/04


SCVO Joint session
Voluntary Sector
Inverness, Highlands and Islands
20
26/10/04


Eke Out Seminar
Voluntary/ community workers
Edinburgh
6
28/10/04


Talk / Presentation
Soroptimists
Kirkintilloch 
20
1/11/04


Community Outreach Event
community groups
Stornoway
57
4/11/04


Partner Library training course
Partner Library staff
Glenburn Lib (Renfrewshire)
9
18/11/04


Community Outreach Event
community groups
Langside PL
28
19/11/04


Workshop within conference
community councils 
Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow
19
20/11/04


Partner Library training course
Partner Library staff
Linlithgow Partner Library
5
24/11/04 (a/m/)


Video-conferencing outreach event
community groups 
Broughty Ferry PL
11
24/11/04


Talk / Presentation
Senior citizens
Cumbernauld
24
26/11/04


Talk / Presentation
Senior citizens
Morningside, E/burgh
19
30/11/04


SCVO Joint session
Voluntary Sector
Edinburgh, Lothians, Central
15
01/12/04


Community Outreach event/presentation
Gaelic speakers and groups 
City Chambers, Glasgow
15
01/12/04


Community Outreach presentation
Students and Staff
Sabhal Mòr Ostaig
12
29/12/04


Talk / Presentation
Church group
Bearsden,Glasgow
29
9/12/04


Community Outreach Event
community groups
Dunfermline Partner Library 
42
13/12/04


2005
 
 
 
 


Community Outreach Event
community groups 
Lanark Partner Library
39
21/01/05


CAB Training session
CAB staff
Denny
9
02/02/05


Garvald Centre 
Staff Team
Edinburgh
25
10/02/05


Talk / Presentation
Community Groups 
Gorbals
22
16/02/05


Junction 52
Adults
Glasgow 
30
28/02/05


SCVO
Voluntary Sector
Glasgow
25
03/03/05


Community Outreach Event
community groups 
Thurso
69
11/03/05


Community Outreach Event
community groups 
Stirling Partner Library 
44
17/03/05


Community Outreach Event
community groups 
Alloa
98
18/03/05


Community Outreach event 
Gaelic Society of Perth
Perth
14
23/03/05


 
 
Total no of attendees 
1,029
 



  Outreach Sessions and Events: Teachers; Educationalist; School Librarians, 1 September 2004 to 31 March 2005 (Some Sessions held in Scottish Parliament)

  

School Librarians Seminar
School Librarians
Airdrie, South Scotland
30
15/09/04


Guest lecture
PG/MSc library science students
Uni. of Northumbria, Newcastle
15
25/10/04


Exhibition / conference
Modern Studies Assoc.
Jordanhill College
190
6/11/04


School Librarians’ Seminar
School Librarians
Across Scotland
30
15/11/04


South Lanarkshire Teachers’ Seminar
2 Sessions Primary and Secondary
Hamilton
25
09/11/04


Local Authority Citizenship Network
Local Authority Citizenship Advisers
Stirling
30
30/11/04


2005
 
 
 
 


Citizenship School Co-ordinators
Teachers with Citizenship remit
Edinburgh
30
13/01/05


Citizenship School Co-ordinators
Teachers with Citizenship remit
Glasgow
35
27/01/05


Citizenship School Co-ordinators
Teachers with Citizenship remit
West of Scotland
28
9/02/05


Citizenship School Co-ordinators
Teachers with Citizenship remit
Aberdeen
20
04/03/05


Local Authority Citizenship Network
Local Authority Citizenship Advisers
Stirling
40
10/03/05


Community Learning and Development Group for Gaelic – keynote speech
Gaelic community education professionals
Perth
65
18/03/05


PLOD 3
Partner Library staff
Across Scotland
50
25/02/05


Gaelic teachers’ seminar
Gaelic teachers
Across Scotland
17
9/03/05


 
 
Total no attendees
605
 



  Outreach Sessions and Events: Community and Voluntary Sector, 2005-06

  

Event/Session
Attendees
Location
No Attendees
Date


Talk / Presentation
Senior citizens
Glasgow
31
7/04/05


Community Outreach Event
community groups 
Inverness
89
15/04/05


Talk / Presentation
Community Council 
Crossford, Fife
24
25/04/05


CAB Training session
CAB staff
Perth
22
27/04/05


Community Outreach Event
community groups 
Dumbarton
68
29/04/05


Community Outreach Event
community groups
Portree
31
6/05/05


Talk / Presentation
Senior citizens
Edinburgh
24
9/05/05


Talk / Presentation
Senior citizens
Arbroath
18
10/5/05


Presentation
Disabilities group
Penilee, Glasgow
12
23/5/05


Talk / Presentation
community groups 
Wester Hailes
14
25/05/05


Community Outreach Event
community groups 
Lerwick
35
17/06/05


Community Outreach Event 
community groups
Benbecula
41
24/6/05


Scottish Dementia Working Group 
People with dementia, workers and carers
Glasgow
30
14/07/05


Equal Opportunities Commission Scot. and Scot. Interfaith Council Annual Seminar
Women from minority faiths (held in Scottish Parliament)
Across Scotland
60
26/07/05


SCVO joint session
Voluntary sector staff and volunteers
Edinburgh
15
27/07/05


Community Outreach Event 
community groups
Dundee
44
5/8/05


Talk / Presentation
Jewish Care Scotland
Giffnock
52
18/8/05


Talk / Presentation
East Lothian Council staff
Haddington
18
24/8/05


Talk / Presentation
Civil Service Pensioners
Edinburgh
40
01/09/05


SCVO joint session
Voluntary sector staff and volunteers
Edinburgh
20
01/09/05


CAB Training session
CAB staff
Parkhead
16
05/09/05


Talk / Presentation
community councils forum
Keith
20
06/09/05


Talk / Presentation
community council 
Salsburgh
16
08/09/05


Community Outreach Event 
community groups
Arbroath
73
12/9/05


Community Outreach Event 
community groups 
Stranraer
42
16/09/05


 
 
Total no attendees @ 21.09.05
855
 



  Teachers; Educationalist; School Librarians (Some Sessions Held in Scottish Parliament); Student Sessions in Parliament

  

Schools Librarians Seminar
School Librarians 
Across Scotland
18
22/04/05


School education sessions9 sessions
Gaelic primary pupils 
Across Scotland
223
w/c 25-29 April


Education session/ discussion
University students 
Iraq
20
12/05/05


Schools Librarians Seminar
School Librarians 
Across Scotland
28
20/05/05


Schools Librarians Seminar
School Librarians 
Across Scotland
24
6/06/05


Eurosgoil
Gaelic/Irish/Frisian speakers
Scotland, Ireland, Germany
37
30/7/05


Life long learning
Gaelic learners
East Ayrshire
11
11/8/05


Festival of Politics session
Gaelic primary pupils
Edinburgh – Tollcross PS
22
24/8/05


Festival of Politics sessions
3 Primary classes
Granton and Clovenstone, Edinburgh
40 in total
23 and 24/08/05


Schools Librarians Seminar
School Librarians 
Across Scotland
21
9/09/05


Local Authority Citizenship Network
Local Authority Citizenship Advisers
Stirling
53
15/09/05


Schools Librarians Seminar
School Librarians 
Across Scotland
20 so far
4/11/05


Teachers’ seminar
Gaelic teachers 
Perth and Kinross
7 so far
17/11/05


Angus College
FE Students
Arbroath
 
21/09/05


SETT conference
Teachers, educationalists
Glasgow, SECC
 
22/09/05


Anniesland College
FE Students
Glasgow
 
10/10/05


Anniesland College
FE Students
Glasgow
 
04/11/05


S. Lanarkshire Seminar
Primary and secondary teachers
Hamilton
 
25/10/05


Local Authority Citizenship Network
Local Authority Citizenship Advisers
Stirling
 
12/12/05


Teachers’ seminar
Gaelic teachers
Across Scotland
 
1/3/06


 
 
Total no of attendees @ 21.09.05
524
 



  Total Number of Attendees for All Sessions (Excluding MSPs in Schools See Below) Arranged by Outreach Services from 1 September 2004 to 21 September 2005 is 3,976, Community and Voluntary Sector Outreach Sessions and Events Arranged 2005-06

  

CAB Training session
CAB staff
Barrhead
 
20/09/05


Talk / Presentation
Rotary Club
Whitburn
 
20/09/05


Talk / Presentation
community councils forum
Dalkeith
 
21/09/05


Talk / Presentation
community groups 
Wester Hailes
 
22/09/05


Talk / Presentation
Inverclyde Council staff
Greenock
 
27/09/05


Community Outreach Event
community groups 
Fort William
 
30/09/05


SCVO joint event
Voluntary sector 
Glasgow
 
05/10/05


Talk / Presentation
Perth Council staff
Perth
 
05/10/05


Talk / Presentation
CAB staff
Glasgow (Maryhill)
 
06/10/05


Community Outreach Event 
community groups 
Inverurie
 
07/10/05


Talk / Presentation
East Ayrshire Council staff
Kilmarnock
 
11/10/05


Mod
Gaelic community
Stornoway 
 
14-21/10/05


Community Outreach Event 
community groups 
Peterhead
 
24/10/05


Talk / Presentation
East Ayrshire Council staff
Kilmarnock
 
25/10/05


Talk / Presentation
East Ayrshire Council staff
Kilmarnock
 
26/10/05


Talk / Presentation
community council
Glasgow (Claythorn)
 
27/10/05


Community Outreach Event
community groups
Dornoch
 
28/10/05


Interfaith Project
Buddhist community adult and young people from across Scotland
Samye LingDumfries and Galloway
 
30/10/05


Talk / Presentation
East Ayrshire Council staff
Kilmarnock
 
31/10/05


Talk / Presentation
North Ayrshire Council staff
Irvine
 
02/11/05


Talk / Presentation
CAB staff
Cupar
 
03/11/05


Talk / Presentation
community councils forum
Paisley
 
07/11/05


SCVO joint session
Voluntary sector
Glasgow
 
08/11/05


Talk / Presentation
West Dunbartonshire Council staff
Dumbarton
 
09/11/05


Community Outreach Event
community groups
Tobermory
 
11/11/05


Interfaith Project
Aberdeen Central Mosque adults and young people 2 sessions
Aberdeen 
 
12 and 13/11/05


Talk / Presentation
Soroptimists
Stirling
 
14/11/05


Talk / Presentation
E.Dunbartonshire Council staff
Kirkintilloch
 
16/11/05


Talk / Presentation
E.Dunbartonshire Council staff
Kirkintilloch
 
17/11/05


Talk / Presentation
Dundee City Council staff
Dundee
 
22/11/05


Talk / Presentation
Dundee City Council staff
Dundee
 
23/11/05


Talk / Presentation
S. Lanarkshire Council staff
Hamilton
 
29/11/05


Talk / Presentation
S. Lanarkshire Council staff
Hamilton
 
30/11/05


Talk / Presentation
Scottish Borders Council staff
Newton St Boswells
 
01/12/05


Talk / Presentation
Scottish Borders Council staff
Newton St Boswells
 
06/12/05


Talk / Presentation
Fife Council staff
Glenrothes
 
08/12/05


Talk / Presentation
North Ayrshire Council staff
Irvine
 
13/12/05


2006
2006
2006
 
2006


Talk / Presentation
Lenzie Ladies Probus Club
Lenzie
 
20/01/06


Talk / Presentation
Soroptimists
St Andrew’s 
 
26/01/06


Talk / Presentation
Perservere Probus Club
Edinburgh
 
06/02/06


Talk / Presentation
Community Council
Yorkhill, Glasgow
 
21/02/06


Talk / Presentation
Senior citizens
Glasgow
 
02/03/06


Talk / Presentation
Dundee Highland Society
Dundee
 
17/3/05


Talk / Presentation
Soroptimists
Glasgow
 
20/03/06


Talk / Presentation
Soroptimists
Dumbarton
 
02/05/06



  MSPs in Schools

  Each school has tow sessions; both are facilitated by a member of Outreach Services. For the second session, MSPs are invited to attend and work with the students.

  The pilot project from January – March 2005 involved Blairgowrie High, Lifeskills class five students; St Ronans Primary, Innerleithen, P6/7 and P7 61 students; Mile End Primary, Aberdeen P6 33 students; Dalziel High, Motherwell S3 Drama 25 students; James Gillespies High, Edinburgh S6 cross curricular 15 students and S3 Gaelic Unit 12 students, anderston Primary, Glasgow, P7 33 students; Plockton High Gaelic Unit S2 12 students; Turnbull High, Bishopriggs S6 Business Studies 15 students, and S2 English 33 Students. Total 244

  

School
Class/Classes
Location
Total No Students
Date Session 1
Date Session 2


Royal High School Primary
P7 x 2
Edinburgh
60
23.08.05
12/09/05


Clovenstone Primary
P7
Edinburgh
21
24.08.05
26/09/05


Alloa Academy
S5
Alloa
20
26.08.05
16/09/05


Keith Primary
P6 x 2
Keith
60
31.08.05
23/09/05


Clober Primary
P7 x 2
Milngavie
30
06.09.05
03/10/05


Meldrum Primary
P7 x 2
Livingston
60
07.09.05
30/09/05


Kirkhill Primary
P7
Aberdeen
27
14.09.05
03/10/05


Dalry Primary
P7 x 2
Ayrshire
51
15.09.05
07/10/05


St Machar Academy
S3 x 3
Aberdeen
75
19.09.05
24/10/05


 
 
Total no students @21.09.05
404
 
 


Schools booked for academic session 05/06
 
 
 
 
 


Braidfield High, Library
School Council and English classes
 
 
22.09.05
24/10/05


St Joseph’s Primary
P7 x 2
Aberdeen
 
27.09.05
07/11/05


Baltasound Primary and Secondary
P6/7 and S1/2
Shetland
 
28.09.05
28/10/05


Hillpark Secondary
Gaelic Unit
Glasgow
 
05.10.06
14/11/05


Castlemilk High
S2
Glasgow
 
06.10.05
07/11/05


Spark of Genius
2 classes
Paisley
 
11.10.05
11/11/05


Murayfield Primary
P6
Blackburn
 
12.10.05
14/11/05


Bishopriggs High
S3 PSE / Gaelic Unit
Bishopriggs
 
13.10.05
04/11/05 Gaelic/14/11/05


St John’s High
S3 x 2
Dundee
 
19.10.05.
21/11/05


Inverness Royal Academy
Gaelic Unit
Inverness
 
25.10.05
18/11/05


Forehill Primary
P6 x 2
Ayr
 
26.10.05
18/11/05


Old Machar Academy
S1 x2
Nr Aberdeen
 
27.10.05
25/11/05


Hilton Primary
P6 and P6/7
Inverness
 
01.11.05
25/11/05


Pennyland Primary
P7 x 2
Thurso
 
02.11.05
28/11/05


Royal Blind School
S1/2
Edinburgh
 
02.11.05
09/12/05


Craigdhu Primary
P5/6
Milngavie
 
03.11.05
21/11/05


St Columbus Primary
P7 and Gaelic Unit
Oban
 
08.11.05
05/12/05


Lenzie Academy
S5 and S6 cross curricular
Lenzie
 
09.11.05
05/12/05


Avenue End Primary
P7 x 2
Glasgow
 
10.11.05
09/12/05


St Stephen’s Primary
P7
Coatbridge
 
15.11.05
12/12/05


2006
 
 
 
 
 


Dalbeatie High
S6
Dalbeattie
 
12.01.06
03/02/05


Burghead Primary
P6 and P 7
Moray
 
17.01.06
06/02/05


Thornliebank Community School
P6 x 2
Glasgow
 
17.01.06
20/02/06


Lairdsland Primary
P5/6 and P6
Kirkintilloch
 
18.01.06
24/02/06


Philiphaugh Community School
P7
Selkirk
 
19.01.06
24/01/06


Glencairn Primary
P7 x 2
Motherwell
 
24.01.06
06/02/06


Hawick High
S4/5 and Pupil Council
Hawick
 
25.01.06
27/02/06


Caledonia Primary
P6 and P7
Glasgow
 
26.01.06
24/02/06


Eastfield Primary
P6/7 and P7
Penicuik
 
01.02.06
10/02/06


Campie Primary
P7 x 3
Musselburgh
 
09.02.06
06/03/06


Kirknewton Primary
P5
W Lothian
 
16.02.06
20/03/06


Ardnamurchan High
Gaelic Unit
Argyll
 
21.02.06
27/03/06


Castleview Primary
P7
Edinburgh
 
21.02.06
20/03/06


Stirling High
S2 x 2
Stirling
 
22.02.06
24/03/06


Ballan Primary
P5-7 and Gaelic Unit
Lewis
 
02.03.06
31/03/06


St Ambrose Primary
P6
Glasgow
 
07.03.06
27/03/06


Monifieth High
RME
Monifieth
 
09.03.06
tba


Rosehall Primary
Whole school
Lairg
 
14.03.06
21/04/06


Oban High
S2 PSE x2 and Debating soc.
Oban
 
21.03.06
24/04/06


Acharacle Primary
P5-7 and Gaelic Unit
Argyll
 
28.03.06
08/05/06


Woodlands Primary
P6/7
Cumbernauld
 
18.04.06
12/05/06


Baird Memorial Primary
P7
Cumbernauld
 
19.04.06
15/05/06


Nether Robertland Primary
P6 x 2
Stewarton
 
03.05.06
02/06/06


St Albert’s Primary
P7 x 2
Glasgow
 
03.05.06
02/06/06


Paisley Grammar
S1/2 Library group
Paisley
 
10.05.06
05/06/06


Deans Community High
S1
Livingston
 
10.05.06
12/06/06


Rashilea Primary
P5 x 2
Erskine
 
18.05.06
05/06/06


Carmondean Primary
P5 x 2
Livingston
 
24.05.06
19/06/06

Outreach Services

Linda Fabiani (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body how many (a) members of the public and (b) representatives of organisations participated in activities organised by the Parliament’s outreach services in each year since 1999.

Andrew Welsh: A dedicated outreach team was created in September 2004. The number of people participating in the sessions provided by the Outreach Services team is given in the table supplied in the answer to question S2W-19249 on 29 September 2005.

  However, this is just a part of the Parliament’s wider programme of engagement and participation. A range of other activities take place for example the Scottish Parliament and Business Exchange and the recently created Futures Forum. We have also engaged with people through a wide range of parliamentary events, and

  E-democracy initiatives and continue to support the engagement with committees held outside of Parliament.

  All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search.